"The 33"-Road Bike RacingWe set this forum up for our members to discuss their experiences in either pro or amateur racing, whether they are the big races, or even the small backyard races. Don't forget to update all the members with your own race results.

1. Find some group rides, fast group rides. Sit in the back.
2. Don't get discouraged if/when you get dropped from those group rides.
3. Go back the following week and do the fast group ride again.
4. If you're dropped a 2nd time, repeat steps 2 & 3
5. Once you're comfortable with the group and pace (and vice versa), take some pulls.
6. Once you're comfortable taking pulls, try some attacks (if it's that kind of group ride).
7. Once you're comfortable with steps 5 & 6, it's time to enter a race.
8. At your first race, repeat steps 1-6, but substitute 'race' for 'group ride'.

Once you have followed all of these steps, and still have a specific question, feel free to create a thread.

1. Find some group rides, fast group rides. Sit in the back.
2. Don't get discouraged if/when you get dropped from those group rides.
3. Go back the following week and do the fast group ride again.
4. If you're dropped a 2nd time, repeat steps 2 & 3
5. Once you're comfortable with the group and pace (and vice versa), take some pulls.
6. Once you're comfortable taking pulls, try some attacks (if it's that kind of group ride).
7. Once you're comfortable with steps 5 & 6, it's time to enter a race.
8. At your first race, repeat steps 1-6, but substitute 'race' for 'group ride'.

Eh, too much reading. Why should I use up so much of my time when I could waste yours?

Anybody know where I can get permanent numbers with my sponsors printed on them and a special bike seat mount for them that doesn't get in the way of my extra large saddle pack I'll be carrying on all of my crits?

Also, another important rule: If there is a yellow-line rule in effect in a criterium and you're coming up to the finish line on a hot-contested prime, and you know you can't contest the sprint, get over as far to the right as possible.
I've gotten DQed from two races for crossing the yellow line to get around these slowpokes who can't imagine that there is anyone faster than them in the world. God forbid you can't win a prime while riding in the 50-23 sitting on your Giant OCR3.

- I also see people say "they ring the bell". When do they ring the bell? Before the last lap? Is it different for every race?

Bell lap is the last lap, also primes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turboem1

- Do you have to keep track of how far you have raced or will you be notified. I am sure in a 20+ lap race it may be hard to remember if your on lap 14 or 15.

Usually it's time+x laps. They'll let you know when it's x laps to go. Realistically, your first race should be viewed as a learning experience only, not a competition, and definitely not a 'A' or 'B' priority event. Stay in the pack and watch how things go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turboem1

- Also I see some races are setup different ways. Some are 50 miles and others are 45 minutes. Is there a reason for that or does it depend on the race?

Usually road races are z miles, crits are y minutes + x laps.

__________________
Reacting is mind candy; it requires no thought. Thinking is tedious.

Also, another important rule: If there is a yellow-line rule in effect in a criterium and you're coming up to the finish line on a hot-contested prime, and you know you can't contest the sprint, get over as far to the right as possible.
I've gotten DQed from two races for crossing the yellow line to get around these slowpokes who can't imagine that there is anyone faster than them in the world. God forbid you can't win a prime while riding in the 50-23 sitting on your Giant OCR3.